Grade 6

The Grade 6 teachers will work alongside each student to ensure that they have an individual reading goal based on the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System. These goals will be focused at the students’ point of need. Teachers will monitor each student’s progress in regards to their reading goals, through participation in twice weekly guided reading sessions.

This term, our foci in reading sessions will include:

analysing text structure and organisation

analysing how authors develop themes

analysing how authors use language to create humour and pathos

developing skills and techniques of voice and movement to create character, mood and atmosphere.

Literature circles will continue this term, with groups of students meeting together twice a week to discuss a novel in depth. The discussion is guided by what the students have learnt as a result of their reading. Literature circles promotes greater independence in students by encouraging them to take more ownership of their reading journey.

Literacy – Writing

Writing sessions will focus on persuasive and narrative text types, specifically concentrating on script writing. Conferencing and needs-based groups occur most sessions, thus enabling teachers to identify students’ areas of improvement. This will ensure that each student is catered for on an individual basis.

Big Write and Writer’s Workshop sessions provide the structure for our writing focus. Students will participate in fortnightly Big Talk on Wednesday, followed by a Big Write on Thursday, concluding with editing on Friday. Students are encouraged to use the knowledge and skills learnt throughout the week to produce a piece of writing. In addition, Writer’s Workshop sessions will encourage students to write about topics that they are passionate about.

Spelling

The spelling program is based on the Soundwaves phonics-based program, resulting in the improvement of students’ literacy skills. Students will continue to focus on a range of graphemes (letters) and phonemes (the sounds the letters make) that they have learnt throughout the junior and intermediate year levels. They are expected to spend time at home during the week learning their spelling words, with new words provided each fortnight. There will also be opportunities at school to practise their words during focused word work time.

Mathematics

Mathematics will focus on the following areas:

geometric reasoning (angles)

number and place value (prime, composite, square and triangular numbers)

patterns and algebra (algebraic patterns and rules)

measurement (time).

Students will consolidate their mathematical knowledge by relating what they learn to real life problems and to other areas of the curriculum. They are encouraged to use a variety of strategies to solve mathematical problems.

The Grade 6 teachers will work alongside each child to encourage them to develop skills and concepts through explicit teaching in both whole class and small focus groups. Mental calculation and the teaching of efficient strategies is a priority. Students are encouraged to develop skills in estimation, with the use of concrete materials used to support their mathematical explorations.

Integrated Studies – Arts Festival

Term 3 is Arts Festival time! The theme for this year’s Festival is Fractured Fairytales. Students will be involved in writing the script for the performance, dancing and presenting comedy. The Arts Festival performance will be on Tuesday 10th September, so be sure to save the date.

Homework

Students are encouraged to read for 20 to 30 minutes, four nights per week. Throughout the term, additional homework expectations will vary, such as completion of weekly Mathletics tasks (3 per week). Spelling homework will be allocated on a fortnightly basis. Students may access Chromebooks to assist them in completing their homework tasks from 8.50am to 9am, prior to the start of learning for the day.

Parent Communications

Student diaries are an invaluable tool for collaborating between the school and the home. Parents are encouraged to use their child’s diary to communicate important information to their child’s teacher.

Information, regular updates, and resources will be posted through the app Konnective and on the school website at www.albertparkps.vic.edu.au. All forms and notices are available in their PDF form on the school website.

Parents will receive updates on their child’s learning and areas for improvement in all areas of the curriculum via the Seesaw app.

Dates for Your Diary

Monday 15th July – Term 3 starts

Wednesday 17th July – Launch of the Arts Festival with viewing of the animated fractured fairytale, Shrek